Bring on the MAGIC- May 2016 solo PTR, Final update 5/6

[Saphire5742]

Hello fellow DISers!
So I just recently discovered these boards while researching for my May 2016 WDW trip. I've been driving my family , mostly my mom, up the walls with my constant Disney talk. It's hard to contain myself when I get really excited about something and I am SUPER DEE DUPER EXCITED about this trip !!!!!!!!

So imagine my glee to have found this place. Now I can share my excitement with people who understand and share my enthusiasm. Although, let's be real here- I'm still going to drive my family bonkers. That's what family is for, amiright?

Reading several PTR's here have inspired me to write my own so here I am:



My name is Odelia (e as in elegant, excellence NOT-eel). I am 33 years old (34 in December). Born in Brooklyn,NY. Moved to Israel 9 years ago.
This upcoming trip will be my 4th. First was when I was a baby, second was when I was 8, third when I was 16. The last time was in January 1998. So yeah it's been a long time- 18 years! And I've been wanting to return. I thought maybe there would be a chance before my big move, but that was more wishful thinking. Then I thought maybe it would work out that during one of my visits I could join one of my sisters and her family (they go every so often), but I suppose that was also wishful thinking. But I've been having this burning desire to go and thanks also to one of the youtubers I follow who is also a Disney lover (shoutout to mrcheezypop, Maxwell Glick), I decided that the next time I scheduled a visit to New York I'd also plan a trip to Disney World. SOLO. I'm used to doing much on my own anyway so I'm perfectly fine going solo.

It's getting late, there are dishes waiting in the sink, and I have to be up early tomorrow, so I'll end here for now.
Stay Tuned.....

 

[Saphire5742]

 

[Saphire5742]

I'm back. On to some trip details and a little more about me.

Dates: May 8-16 2016
Resort: Art of Animation


I decided to book my Dreamcation via a Disney travel agent. Just for some extra support. Plus since I live in a time zone 7 hours ahead of Florida, so depending on what shift I'm working that day (I'm a nurse) I might be at work when my ADR window opens up and so I would need someone to reserve for me. It's been so much fun reading about all the dining options. Have my wish list but I'll share more on that later.

I need to be in the Disney bubble and add to the fact that I don't drive (even if I did I'd be hesitant to drive in Orlando as I'm not familiar) and booking a Disney resort was a no brainer. Also we never stayed on Disney property when I was growing up. Art of Animation is the perfect resort for me. LOVE the huge Disney icons! And the two songs "Under the Sea" and "Poor Unfortunate Soul" are tied for 2nd place for my all time favorite Disney song! Plus Ursula is my favorite Disney villain. If only I could figure out how to make a worthy Ursula costume!

This Dreamcation started out for only 5 days. But when I started to read up and do some research I realized that 5 days are just not enough. Especially considering that it's been a long time coming and I don't know when I'll be back. So I added 4 more days. I'll be leaving for NY on May 2 (my niece's 5th birthday- it's a surprise, only my mom knows, I've never been on her birthday before), spending some time with my family, then heading for Disney on May 8, flying back on May 16, spending some more time with my family and unwinding after my trip, and then back home May 22. I don't want to take away too much time from my family so that's why I capped my Dreamcation at 9 days. It's enough I think.

As I mentioned before I work as a registered nurse. In the Geriatric Rehabilitation department in a major hospital in Tel Aviv. Earlier this year I went back to school for a geriatric specialization course. The final licensing exam is end of March 2016. So this year I didn't get to fly out to NY. I did get to go on a 5 day solo mini vacation to Copenhagen in March though when I had a little window available.

My profile picture is from my birthday last year. I wore a tiara as I was going about my day. Because I'm a princess of course and I love to celebrate ME! I did get some strange looks and comments from passersby, but I just smiled and continued on my way.

Till Next Time.....

 

[Saphire5742]

Quickie update-
Just got off the phone with my mom. She called to let me know I got mail- DISNEY MAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cheered/screeched into the phone for about 10 seconds straight (sorry Mom). Makes my trip feel more real.

 

[Saphire5742]

189 days until the MAGIC
9 days until ADR Day

Today we're going to talk about my favorite subject- F O O D!
There's a random home video when I was around 12ish in which at one point I walk by with a plate of food and announce in a deep and dramatic voice "My name is Odelia and I LOVE to eat!". Nothing much has changed.

ADR day is rapidly approaching. It's been fun and a little overwhelming to research and make my choices. Or shall I say to narrow down my choices. I never got to dine at Disney so this is doubly exciting.

Some background- I am Jewish and was brought up in an observant, kosher keeping household. So of course that meant no Disney dining for us. Maybe the occasional snack. I stopped being observant a few years ago. The only things I won't eat now are pork and seafood.

So obviously now I feel like a kid in a candy store that finally gets to partake. Bring on the DELICIOUSNESS!!!!

We start with the restaurant named after my favorite Disney song of all time. That's right, it's Be Our Guest! Because really a gourmet feast (that I didn't have to cook) with a Broadway worthy performance from the dishes and cutlery? What's better than that? That is my ultimate fantasy.

I present to you a multilangauge "Be Our Guest"

A few months ago I was at a show celebrating the history of Broadway musicals throughout the ages. I love Broadway musicals. In fact I must go to at least one show whenever I'm back visiting NY. So at one point during this show they start to sing "Be Our Guest". I was so happy and got so emotional that I started tearing up. That's how much I LOVE this song. So obviously I must eat at the restaurant that bears its name. After a lot of back and forth I finally decided on lunch.

Speaking of Broadway, one of my earliest memories of Disney is watching a show in which Minnie Mouse was dressed up in a gold outfit and singing "We're in the Money", a song that was featured in the Broadway musical 42nd Street.

I'm also looking forward to some character meals. On my list are Cape May Café and Crystal Palace for breakfast and Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner. With the announcements of year round Minnie dinners at Hollywood&Vine and Club Villains also at HS, I will add one of them as well for sure. I just haven't decided which.

Hoping to score Hoop Dee Doo as well. In addition to eating I also love to laugh and all the reviews I've read say the show is a riot, so into the bucket that goes. I can just hear my mom warning me not to laugh so hard that I scare the people next to me. When I find something very funny I have a tendency to laugh with abandon. That's just me and I make no apologies.

Also on my list are Boma, 50s Prime Time, Flame Tree, Sunshine Seasons, Kona Café. I will most likely try Landscape of Flavors at least once since I'll be staying at AoA.

One place that I had on my list but am currently debating is Marrakesh. I read a glowing review on a Disney blog but other reviews have been very mixed so I don't know.

Ok, that's a wrap for now.
Stay tuned.....

 

[Saphire5742]

178 days until the MAGIC
See the number above? Less than 6 months!!!!! Most importantly 2 days ago was my ADR date. I've been looking forward to this day for AGES. I actually had a shift when my ADR window opened so I e-mailed my TA with all my requests. I was nervous leaving someone else in charge and hoped that there wouldn't be any difficulties. But when I checked for general availability two days prior, almost all (or maybe it was all, don't remember now) I was hoping for were available, and that was way past the time when reservations opened. That certainly eased my nervousness as I knew I had very good chances. I also left contact info with my TA should she need to contact me for any reason.
November 10:
1pm (my time)- ADR window opened.
1:30- I had some free time so decided to check MDE. Nothing. Ok, not ideal, but she's probably working on it and I'll have some info shortly.
2 - Still nothing. I'm starting to get a little nervous. I knew from my check 2 days prior that it probably wasn't a big deal, but couldn't help myself.
3:15- I'm done with my shift and changing in the locker room. Decided to check my e-mails. See 2 e-mails from Disney regarding my reservations. And another e-mail from my TA at around the same time asking making sure I knew about prepayment to CRT and HDD. Wondering why she didn't ask this in our email exchanges before. But trying to give the benefit of the doubt. Send her a quick email that I know about the prepayment and it's ok. She also let me know that one of my requests is not showing up. Don't like the sound of that, but hoping to rectify the situation when I get home.
3:30- As I make my way out of the hospital and to the bus stop I see more emails rolling in. This makes me happy. But then I notice the final email. HDD cat 3. I ask her about that. She says that cats 1+2 were not available. Ok, something else to do once I get home.
4:30- Arrive home after a rather nerve-racking traffic bus ride. Right away call that first place that my TA said wasn't showing up at all. This was my highly coveted ressie. SCORE! Then I called Disney to modify HDD- upgraded to cat 2.
Breathe a HUGE sigh of relief.
And now what you've all been waiting for:
May 8- Arrival day.
Dinner at DRUMROLL PLEASE.... DUM DA DA DUM



Victoria and Albert's at 7pm. As soon as I read about this place I knew I had to try it. All the reviews I read were fantastic and it is such a different experience from what I'm used to. I want to start my vacation in style. No special occasion needed. I'm just celebrating myself and the fact that I'm fulfilling a dream 18 years in the making.

May 9- Magic Kingdom day
Lunch at BOG

May 10- Epcot day
Dinner at Via Napoli

May 11- Universal Studios day
Dinner at Hoop Dee Doo 8:30, giving me enough time to enjoy US

May 12- Hollywood Studios
Lunch at 50s Prime Time

May 13- Animal Kingdom day
Dinner at Boma (might change time for this as soon as more info becomes available for Rivers of Light)

May 14- Epcot day
Breakfast- Cape May Café

May 15- Magic Kingdom day
Breakfast- pre RD at Crystal Palace
Dinner- Cinderella's Royal Table. The ressie is for 6:45. I don't know if I should try to get it changed for a later time. On the one hand I've read that it's a very special experience to be there during Wishes. On the other hand that's late. I would have probably already seen Wishes as this is my 2nd MK day but if for some reason it rains the first day and it gets canceled I don't want to miss out if I'm having dinner in the castle that day. Or is that concern not relevant? Opinions anyone?

May 16- Departure day
Breakfast at Kona Café.

Looking forward to a very DELICIOUS vacation!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[Saphire5742]

Solo trip - looks fabulous! I am sure that you will be fed until you can eat no more. 9 days is going to be great, you'll be able to get as much or as little done as you want!

Yay, my first reply and likes! Thank you. I was beginning to wonder if I was writing this PTR for my eyes only (which would have been fine too, since it's a way of documenting my excitement), but it sure feels great that someone else is reading and enjoying as well.

I am planning on it being fabulous. It's all I can think about to be honest. Which isn't really the best thing since I need to concentrate more on my studies, but I can't help it.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[missangelalexis]

Just caught up on your PTR, sounds like an exciting trip! You have so many wonderful ADRs planned You are going to have a fabulous time!!

 

[Elevationist]

I'm here, I'm here!

Hello fellow DISers!
So I just recently discovered these boards while researching for my May 2016 WDW trip. I've been driving my family , mostly my mom, up the walls with my constant Disney talk. It's hard to contain myself when I get really excited about something and I am SUPER DEE DUPER EXCITED about this trip !!!!!!!!

So imagine my glee to have found this place. Now I can share my excitement with people who understand and share my enthusiasm.

That's exactly what PTRs here on the DIS are for!!!

Reading several PTR's here have inspired me to write my own so here I am:

I love your hair! So fun!

This upcoming trip will be my 4th. First was when I was a baby, second was when I was 8, third when I was 16. The last time was in January 1998. So yeah it's been a long time- 18 years!

Yeah girl, you are so overdue! How exciting for you!

I decided that the next time I scheduled a visit to New York I'd also plan a trip to Disney World. SOLO. I'm used to doing much on my own anyway so I'm perfectly fine going solo.

SOLO trips are the BEST trips!!!

I need to be in the Disney bubble and add to the fact that I don't drive (even if I did I'd be hesitant to drive in Orlando as I'm not familiar) and booking a Disney resort was a no brainer.

Girl, speaking as somebody who DOES drive, even drives solo on her roadtrips down to Disney, I'll straight-up tell you... Driving in Orlando is a NIGHTMARE. I get to my Disney resort, park my car, and do everything I can to avoid getting back behind the wheel until it's time to go home!

Plus Ursula is my favorite Disney villain. If only I could figure out how to make a worthy Ursula costume!

I have been trying to figure this out for YEARS, too!!!

This Dreamcation started out for only 5 days. But when I started to read up and do some research I realized that 5 days are just not enough. Especially considering that it's been a long time coming and I don't know when I'll be back. So I added 4 more days.

Every single time I plan a Disney trip for myself, the number of days I end up with is larger than the number of days I began planning for.

My profile picture is from my birthday last year. I wore a tiara as I was going about my day. Because I'm a princess of course and I love to celebrate ME! I did get some strange looks and comments from passersby, but I just smiled and continued on my way.

I totally sport my tiara on my birthday, too! It makes me so happy!

Just got off the phone with my mom. She called to let me know I got mail- DISNEY MAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cheered/screeched into the phone for about 10 seconds straight (sorry Mom). Makes my trip feel more real.

I think everybody on the DIS can relate to that feeling.

Today we're going to talk about my favorite subject- F O O D!

YAAAAY! My favorite, too!!!

There's a random home video when I was around 12ish in which at one point I walk by with a plate of food and announce in a deep and dramatic voice "My name is Odelia and I LOVE to eat!". Nothing much has changed.

I still love this story!

So obviously now I feel like a kid in a candy store that finally gets to partake. Bring on the DELICIOUSNESS!!!!

I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

Victoria and Albert's at 7pm.

So jealous! This has been on my bucket list for years!

Lunch at BOG

Yum yum yummy! Best tip: Do try to pre-order online ahead of time. I know it might be hard to decide in advance what you'll be in the mood for on that day, but in this case, it's completely worth making the decision ahead of time. When you get there, the line for ordering kiosks is CRAZY long. But if you pre-order, then you can pretty much just go straight to a register to pay and then to your table.

Dinner at Boma

Yaaaaay! One of my absolute favorites!

Breakfast- Cape May Café

I'll definitely be looking forward to your review on this one. I had dinner there back in 2009, and it was pretty good. For my trip in October, I'll be staying at the Beach Club, so I'm intending on doing breakfast for the first time at Cape May.

Breakfast- pre RD at Crystal Palace

Breakfast at Kona Café.

I'll be doing both of these for the first time in about 3.5 weeks!

Looking forward to a very DELICIOUS vacation!

Your vacation really DOES look super delicious!!!

 

[Saphire5742]

I totally get where you're coming from. I am allowing my DH to come along for the first 5 days of our trip in March/April, and he has already had to tell me at least 10 times that he doesn't want to hear anything more about Disney.

My mom has basically resigned herself to it. Although she does wonder how on earth I keep finding ways to inject Disney into the conversation.

My sisters on the other hand don't really get my enthusiasm so I just stopped mentioning it to them.

Just caught up on your PTR, sounds like an exciting trip! You have so many wonderful ADRs planned You are going to have a fabulous time!!

Yay! Another reader. Thanks for joining in!

I'm here, I'm here!

Thanks for stopping by for the ride!

I love your hair! So fun!

I've wanted to add some fun color to my hair for AGES! I finally took the plunge 1.5 years ago. At a salon of course because didn't want to bleach on my own. I am planning on going back to pink/another color yet to be decided for WDW.

So jealous! This has been on my bucket list for years!

Stay tuned.....

Yum yum yummy! Best tip: Do try to pre-order online ahead of time. I know it might be hard to decide in advance what you'll be in the mood for on that day, but in this case, it's completely worth making the decision ahead of time. When you get there, the line for ordering kiosks is CRAZY long. But if you pre-order, then you can pretty much just go straight to a register to pay and then to your table.

Thanks for the tip!

Your vacation really DOES look super delicious!!!

That's the goal!

 

[kadrachb]

Joining in!

Dates: May 8-16 2016, booked

I'm also going in May! But we arrive on the 17th.

Lunch at BOG

I love the lunch at BOG! The cupcakes are so good! If you want to try the grey stuff, order the Master's Cupcake!

Dinner at Via Napoli

I ate at Via Napoli in 2014, and my boyfriend and I really enjoyed it. I couldn't believe how good the pizza was!


Can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[Saphire5742]

Joining in!

Glad to have you on board.

 

[Saphire5742]

169 days left!!!!!

So, I just saw the mini preview of AK's "Rivers of Light" over on the Disney Parks Blog. OMG!!!! It looks so breathtakingly gorgeous! I love nature, flowers, water, and butterflies. This might turn out to be my favorite night show. I really hope that it opens on time and will be showing during my trip. Or else I might cry.

Here's the link:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ingdoms-rivers-of-light-nighttime-spectacular

Also I just made a reservation for Minnie's Seasonal Dine + Fantasmic package. Now I really have all my coveted ADR's. Hooray!

 

[Chelley00]

We are going the week before you. I love that you said "I'm celebrating myself". You have great ADRs. Some of our favorites.

I love HDDR. It's one of my top 10 things to do at Disney. I'm actually sad we aren't going this trip. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get from the gate back to Pioneer Hall. You have to take an internal bus and sometimes you have to wait a little bit before the next bus comes back there.

 

[Saphire5742]

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get from the gate back to Pioneer Hall. You have to take an internal bus and sometimes you have to wait a little bit before the next bus comes back there.

Thanks for the tip. Will an hour before do?

 

[missangelalexis]

Rivers of Light looks like it's going to be so awesome! Fingers crossed that it opens on time for you to see it!

 

[Elevationist]

So, I just saw the mini preview of AK's "Rivers of Light" over on the Disney Parks Blog. OMG!!!! It looks so breathtakingly gorgeous! I love nature, flowers, water, and butterflies. This might turn out to be my favorite night show. I really hope that it opens on time and will be showing during my trip. Or else I might cry.

Here's the link:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ingdoms-rivers-of-light-nighttime-spectacular

I cannot WAIT for this! So so so very cool! So looking forward to see it next year!

 

[cantoine]

Joining in! My DH and I are heading to Disney in May as well checking in May 27th to the BC. It's our first adult only trip! We also are eating at Victoria and Alberts. We got the Chef's Table and are supper excited! Keep the trip report coming along, I am in need of someone to talk Disney to who shares the same enthusiasm as me!!!!